The most important word of advise?

Ears rule. Don't believe what the others, dealer, wife, etc. tell you. It is your ears that must be happy. As others are saying, start with the speakers and flow everything else from there. Room treatment's are a must.

When listening to music- your favorites- try to spend an hour at least, at levels you enjoy, maybe a bit louder. If after an hour or 2
1. you want more and you are reluctant to end- good sign.
2. relieved to turn things off and leave the room- bad sign.

#1. For me usually involves tubes, either in the amps or preamp. Tubes seem to allow for longer, more enjoyable listening sessions.

#2 SS amps tend to be fatuiging after long sessions, especially at higher volumes. SS also seems flat and uninvlolving.

My advice (see Kurt:).

Unlike other advice offered, I think amps and pre are first. In my experience, I find that most speakers I put in my system sound very good, from monitors to floorstanders and I could live with many which have passed through my room. But, I would be extremely reluctant to let go of my amps and pre now that I have a wonderful match and I have heard beautiful MUSIC from many different speakers. Then it's just a matter of tuned bass and room acoustics (yes, I know, the right speakers! But, many speakers are acceptable).
As a matter of fact, I regret having sold a pair or 2.
But that's how this hobby is, you live and learn.

My advice- listen for an extended period of time- if your head hurts and your ears need a break- BAD!
If just want to keep groovin' on the music for hours and hours, turning it up- GOOD!

Avoid the slippery slope of snake oil.

Once you are "caught", there is no end of "must have" improvements because the needs that these devices fulfill or the problems that they cure are only limited by the technobabble that can be made up and the hyperbole of reviewers, manufacturers and forum testimonials.

Sooner or later you will find yourself doubting your own judgement, fretting about the type of copper in a piece wire, absolute phase, hanging on every comment from friends, audio forums and reviewers, and generally end up in a never ending merry go round of component rotation.

Snake Oil has the power to destroy the whole enjoyment of an audio system, which simply gets LOST for ever in an "Ocean of Doubt" : all you ever hear is what you have been led to beiieve could/might be wrong!

Never pay retail on high end electronics. Never buy obscure brands that will never resale or trade. In Audiogon when a vendor offers a product at retail click next,he has not grasp the concept yet and subsequently he will be out of business soon. JT